What's New - Dec 19, 2001

By: James Reynolds - Revised: 2006-10-05 devin

Introduction

What's new for the Mac in the previous month:
  • General issues, workarounds and fixes
  • New Software and hardware
  • Software and hardware updates/patches


New Software

Authoring Support 1.15 is now available. This software is needed to support burning CDs with iTunes and Disc Burner in Mac OS 9. The update fixes some issues for ISO burns and adds support for some new CD-R Drives.

Automate ASR 1.0 is an advanced replacement for automatic restorations using Apple Software Restore. There are many features in this script, including the ability to automate restores with multiple images installed, automate restores with multiple hard drives, and a script to edit the restoration preferences.

Extensions Overload 5.9.4 is a utility for identifying extensions, control panels, CSMs, and CMMs. This update adds Mac OS 9.2.2 compatibility and now contains info on over 5400 items.

File Buddy 6.1.6b is a desktop and file and folder editing utility. This update fixes a crash when accessing the menubar in versions of the OS prior to 8.5.

FileMaker Pro 5.5v2 is a bug fix update to this popular database application. FileMaker updates page.

FileMaker Pro Web Companion 5.5v3 is also out, and adds a security fix for FileMaker 5. FileMaker updates page.

Final Cut Pro 3Apple introduced Final Cut Pro 3 for Mac OS 9 and OS X. The program delivers real-time effects without the addition of specialized hardware, OfflineRT, an offline format that holds up to five times as much footage as the DV format, and professional color correction tools.

FineReader 5 Pro ABBYY has announced the availability of FineReader 5 Pro for Mac, "bringing the company's award-winning OCR technology to the Macintosh platform."

GraphicConverter 4.2 is a significant maintenance update (i.e., many fixes) to this superb graphic viewer, editor and converter. Works both in Classic and in OS X. http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=1870&db=mac

iPod Software Updater 1.0.2 is out. Apple has identified a bug that can cause a small percentage of iPods to temporarily not wake from sleep when the battery reaches a low charge level. Apple has developed an iPod firmware update that fixes this bug. Apple strongly recommends that all iPod customers download and install the iPod firmware update version 1.0.2. This iPod firmware update also provides additional quality enhancements and support for additional languages, including Italian, Dutch and Spanish.

iTunes 2.0.3 is out for Classic and OS X. It offers greater control when synchronizing iTunes with the iPod by transferring only the checked songs in your library and playlists to your iPod. This version also adds support for the Rio One MP3 player from SONICblue, a tool for correcting improperly encoded Unicode tags, and improved stability and performance.

Macintosh Manager 2.1.1 is a new version of this Mac OS client software for use with the Mac OS X Server. The main new feature is: A system extension called MMLocalPrefs (located on the installer disk in the parts folder) can be installed onto your Mac OS 9 client computer to enable a feature in which preferences for a logged in user are always accessed locally instead of redirected to the remote server volume.

MacSFTP 1.0a1 is a Macintosh application used to transfer files over TCP/IP using the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) subset of the Secure Shell Protocols (SSH). New in this release, fixes for linefeed translations, passwords saved to the cache, out of synch directories, and more. It also allows access on ports other than 22, adds a bookmarks popup, and an option to force Macbinary on any transfer.

mailto Activator/Deactivator 2.0.1 tells Netscape 4 to use the program you select (i.e. your favorite mail program) when you click on a mailto link. This release adds error-checking and three more ways for Deactivator to do its job. If none of them work, it reports the error.

Netlock VPN Client for Cisco 1.1 supports various IPSec tunneling modes including tunneling private addresses over public networks with Cisco 3000 VPN concentrators. Authentication support includes RADUIS, SecurID, WinNT Domain Authentication, two-factor token cards, etc.

Netscape 6.2.1.

PC MACLAN v.7.2.1 is a Windows 95/98/Me application that supports AFP (AppleTalk File Protocol) over IP as well as AppleTalk to provide machines running Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me the ability to connect to AppleShare servers and Macintosh workstations. This release adds Mac OS X 10.1 support.

PrefsOverload 3.5PR2 is a tool for managing Preferences. This update includes both Classic and Carbon versions, can view XML files, and can exclude from scanning Apple preferences, plist files, and non-preference files. and improvements to the Aqua-based interface.

Server Sentinel 2.1 is a server monitor tool that can generate a beeper signal or email message if an auto-check fails.

Stealth Signal may help recover your Mac if it gets stolen.

Tri-BACKUP 3.04 is the latest version of this backup utility for OS 9 and OS X. Of special note: Tri-BACKUp can create a complete backup of Mac OS X volumes. If a crash occurs, Tri-BACKUP can be used to restore the OS entirely or partially. This means it is not necessary to entirely reinstall Mac OS X from its installation CD.

Virex 6.1.4160b2 is the latest version of this antivirus utility. The engine can now detect virus infections in embedded objects within Adobe Acrobat PDF 5.0 files.

Software Notes

The following has been brought up and discussed a bit on www.macfixit.com:

Citrix client may fail under OS 9.2.2.

Dreamweaver and Fireworks free kit with video tutorials, book excerpts, templates, and 3rd party extensions when you purchase certain Macromedia products.

Illustrator 10 "cannot run" error.

Startup Disk control panel may show "9.1.1" for Mac OS 9.2.1.

Getting iTunes to transition between two mp3's without any dropout: Turn cross-fade on, but set it to zero.

Photoshop 6.5 beta coming in a few months. OS X, faster, new features. Yummy!

Mac OS X set to ship as default in March.

Hardware News

The Terapin CD Video Recorder is essentially a VCR that uses CD's. $499. Anyone who feels like buying me a Christmas present can give me this.

Sony supporting both DVD-RW and DVD+RW. The difference? DVD-RW is for consumer video DVD players and must be recorded in sessions. DVD+RW is just like a floppy, but is not compatible with many DVD-ROM players. Read more.

Hardware Notes - Go back to top

PowerBook G4 now ships with Combo CD-R/W DVD drives.

AppleShare IP 6.3.3 v2 runs on Macintosh Server G4 (QuickSilver). Read more.

Late 2001 iBooks internal modem may not be listed in the Modem control panel.

PCI FireWire card may inhibit CD burns.

AirPort 2 may slow down and require restart.

1GB RAM may prevent startup in PB G4.

The old ABS power adapter is not fully interchangeable with the new ABS. Read more.

Put on rumor hat: PowerPC G5 coming in January? 1.2GHz, 1.4GHz and 1.6GHz? Read more.

More rumor hat: Flat Panel iMac? Read more.

Retail News

Apple reached its goal of having 25 Apple Stores open before Christmas. Maybe now they will open one in SLC.

iBook $100 rebate if purchased between November 21 and December 31 (I doubt this applies to educational purchases). Read more.

Microsoft Settlement or Takeover the World?

Microsoft announced a nifty little "punishment" for itself: take over the education market.

Microsoft wants to donate more than $1 billion of their software, refurbished computers and expertise to the nation's poorest schools as a "punishment" for breaking the law. Read more - Read more.

Steve Jobs slams the Microsoft Plan. Steve says they can give their $1 billion, but give it in cash to a third party that decides what is best for the schools. Read more - Read more - Read more - Read more - Read more.

What happened to the good old days when Microsoft was going to be broke up?

Read the latest on the antitrust suit. wired.com - Washington Post

Bye Bye Privacy...

DOJ already monitoring cable modems? Read more.

"Magic Lantern" reportedly masquerades as an innocent e-mail attachment that will insert FBI spyware inside your computer. Will future versions of PGP contain a back door? Read more - Read more - Read more.

FBI wants phone companies to make changes in their networks to improve surveillance. Read more

Why is this bad? Back doors and easy monitoring for the FBI can easily turn into back doors and easy monitoring for hackers. NOBODY can make invulnerable monitoring software or back doors. The protection is to not have them.

Why is this good? Because we want to kick all the terrorists off of planet Earth.

Issues

New European Union law, Communications Data Protection Directive, outlaws Spam, allows cookies with restrictions, allows data retention past useful billing purposes. Read more.

Major record labels are releasing their catalogs online after years of stalling but the music will not be playable on mp3 players. Read more.

Qwest to stop being a DSL ISP, moving PC customers to MSN. Mac users must use Qwest servers until MSN can support Macs.

Court says it is illegal to publish or link to DVD-cracking code. Read more.

Cool Stuff

Macworld Expo keynote date moved to Monday January 7th from 9 to 11:30 am. The change essentially makes the Expo a 5-day event. That sound you hear is countless travel arrangements being altered at the last minute (including my boss). This suggests a really big announcement!

Apple Knowledge Base 3.0 is here! See it.

20 Years of Usenet now available on Google. See it.

Humor

Joy of Tech:
  • iMovie
  • New iMac 1
  • New iMac 2

WebObjects Class

We are pursing hosting a WebObjects class taught by Apple's iServices. For latest info check out: http://www.macos.utah.edu/Documentation/WebObjects/

Can anyone say for certain that they would attend a class? Please contact us here.